Rotary type can opener



1943- R. E. MCLEAN 2,452,781

I ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed Jan. 18, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 2,1948. R. E. MQLEAN 2,452,781

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed Jan. 18, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gamma NOV.2, 1948. MCLEAN I 2,452,781

A ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed Jan. 18, 1944 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 5IHllHllllI'Nl Nov. 2, 1948. McLEAN M 2,452,781

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed Jan. 18, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 NOV. 2,1948. MCLEAN 2,452,781

ROTARY TYPE CAN ormmn 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 18, 1944 Patented Nov.2, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Robert E.McLean, Fort Benning, Ga.

Application January 18, 1944, Serial No. 518,760

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the class of cutlery and pertainsparticularly to improvements in devices for opening or removing theheads of cans or similar containers, more especially those devices ofthe rotary type.

The present application is based upon and presents improvements over myprior Patents No. 2,287,442 of June 23, 1942, No. 2,294,507 of September1, 1942, No. 2,314,506 of March 23, 1943, and No. 2,411,449 of November19,1946 wherein. as in the present application, are shown rotary canopening devices constructed in a novel manner whereby a single handturned element is employed to perform the functions of raising aninserted or applied can to a position where a cutting knife willpenetrate the head thereof and then rotating such can with respect tothe knife to effect the cutting out of such head, such functions beingcarried out through the provision of a novel thrust mechanism and novelescapement mechanisms with which latter the hand operated means or crankis initially coupled.

A particular object of the present application is to provide in a rotarycan opener of the type generally described above, certain novelimprovements in the escapement mechanism by which release of the handoperated means or crank for free rotation, after penetration of the headof a can has been effected by the cutting element, is effected.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of thecharacter herein stated, a novel means of coupling together two opposedplates of of the device whereby to securely lock such plates togetherand at the same time provide a bearing for a shaft of a driving wheel,

Another object of the invention is to provide in a rotary type canopener a novel movable head cutter which, when moved in one directionupon the turning of the hand operated means or crank, causes the cuttingknife to penetrate the can head, the can driving wheel of this form,unlike the wheels of all previous forms, having rotary movement only.

The invention will be best understood from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, with theunderstanding that the invention is not to be confined to any strictconformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed ormodified so long as such changes or modifications mark no materialdeparture from the salient features of the invention as expressed in theappended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the righthand or outer side of animproved form of my can opener.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the inner side thereof.

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section taken substantially on theline 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in top plan of the implement.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of part of Figure 3 on a larger scale.

Figure 6 illustrates a slight modification of the structure shown inFigure 5.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 1, of a modification for mountingupon a wall bracket and for actuation by a crank handle.

Figure 8 is a view in front elevation of the device as shown in Figure7.

Figure 9 is a view in elevation of the outer side of a modified orsecond embodiment of the opener.

Figure 10 is a view in elevation of the inner side of the device ofFigure 9.

Figure 11 is a view in elevation of a third embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the knife head is oscillatable.

Figure 12 is a view in elevation of the righthand or outer side of thedevice of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view in front elevation of the device of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a view in to plan of the device of Figure 11.

Figure 15 illustrates a modification of the device of Figures 11 to 14.

Figure 16 is a view in front elevation of the device as shown in Figure15. I

Figure 1'7 is atview in elevation ofthe outer side of a fourthembodiment of the opener.

Figure 18 is a view in elevation of the inner side of the device ofFigure 1'7. v

Figure 19 is a view in top plan of the device of Figures 17 and 18.

Figure 20 is a view in device of Figures 17 to 19.

Figure 21 is a view in elevation of the outer side of the deviceillustrated in Figures 17 to 20.

Figure 22 is a view in elevation of the inner side of a fifthembodiment.

Figure 23 is a view in elevation of the inner side of a sixthembodiment.

Figure 24 is a view in elevation of the inner side of a modified form ofthe embodiment illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 25 is a view in elevation of the inner side of a seventhembodiment.

Figure 26 is a view in plan of the O-shaped spring shown in connectionwith the device of Figure 1.

front elevation of the Figure 27 is a sectional view taken substantiallyan the line 2I2'I of Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a view in elevation of the right hand or outer side of acan opener illustrating a further modification of the escapement mechl lg ure 29 illustrates in side elevation a. modifled embodiment of a knifehead structure.

Figure 30 is a view in side elevation, with parts in section, of amodified embodiment of the yieldable toggle thrust means.

Figure 31 is a vertical section on the line 3 I-3I of Figure 30.

Figure 32 is a view in side elevation of another embodiment of triggerstructure for the escapement mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings there is illustrated inFigures 1 to 4 a hand or portable can opener based upon the constructionillustrated in Figures 13 to 18 inclusive of my Patent 2,314,506. Inthis form of opener the body plate is generally designated I and has atits upper end the lateral extension 2 with the outer or free edge ofwhich is joined as an integral part, a head consisting of the upstandingwall 3, the horizontally extending short wall 4 and the outer dependingwall 5 which has resilient connection with the opposed parallel wall 3solely through the medium of the short horizontal intervening portion 4.

Secured to the inner side of the depending wall 5, by screws or othersuitable means 6, is a cutter I having the downwardly directed obliqueedge 8,

Formed through the plate I adjacent the top thereof is thelongitudinally extending elliptical opening 9 and this slotted portionof the body plate is interposed between the inner and outer side wingsIll and II of a substantially U- shaped yoke which is generallyindicated by the numeral l2.

The space between the inner and outer wings of this yoke is onlyslightly greater than the thickness of the plate I so that the latter isrelatively snugly received therebetween.

The inner Wi I0 of the yoke lies directly beneath the fiange 2 of theplate I as shown in Figure 3 and formed integral with the lower edge ofthe inner wing I 0 and inwardly offset with respect thereto and from theplate I, is the depending link I3 which forms a part of a toggle springcoupling with the lower end of the body plate I. Such coupling is formedbetween the inner ear III of the yoke and the fixed pivot pin I l whichis secured in the lower end of the body plate and projects inwardlytherefrom.

Rotatably supported upon the pin I 4 is a substantially C-shaped springI5, the lower leg or extension of which is suitably apertured to receivethe pivot pin I4 while the upper leg or extension, which is disposedbetween the link I3 and the plate I, is pivotally coupled with the linkI3 by the pivot pin or rivet IS. The said ends of the 0 spring have theinwardly turned opposed extensions II, the end edges of which come intoclosely spaced relation as shown in Figure 2 so that relative movementbetween the ends of the spring is limited to a small amount.

The lower end of the link I3 below the pivot I6, is turned to form thenarrow can rest flange I8 against which the side of a can bears when itis in position in the cutter.

The numeral I9 designates a combined bearing and coupling sleeve betweenthe wings l0 and II of the yoke. This sleeve passes through theelliptical opening 9 as shown.

Figure 5 shows on an enlarged scale the manner in which the bearingsleeve I8 is secured to the two wings of the yoke, such wings here beingdesignated Illa and Ila while the bearing sleeve is designated Isa. Asshown the sleeve has cut or formed therein near each end an encircling Vchannel 20. The outer edge of each wing opening in which the grooved endof the bearing sleeve is positioned, is pressed inwardly to form thebordering lip 2|, the corner of which fits into the adjacent channel 20of the bearing sleeve as shown thereby securely coupling the ends of thebearing sleeve to the adjacent wings and also firmly locking the wingstogether.

The bearing bushing or sleeve of Figure 5 is shown with each endextending beyond the outer face of the adjacent wing of the yoke. Thisconstruction is also shown in connection with the bearing bushing orsleeve I9 of the structure shown where it will be seen that the extendedends of the bushing perform the function of holding adjacent elements inspaced relation with respect to the outer or remote faces of the wingsIll and II.

In Figure 6, however, is shown a slightly modified construction of thelocking connection between an end of the bearing bushing or sleeve and awing of a yoke corresponding to the yoke II, where the end of thebushing is flush with the outer side of the wing to which it isattached. Here it will be seen that the inpressed lip 2 I a encirclingthe opening in which the adjacent grooved end of the bearing I9b ismounted, is cut or pressed from the wing, here designated llb, so as tolie inwardly from the plane of the outer face of the wing therebyallowing sufllcient space between the plane of the outer face of thewing and the outer corner of the lip 2|a for the short portion of thebearing sleeve between the peripheral groove and the adjacent endthereof.

This improved bearing sleeve construction may be used in any of thestructures shown in my prior patents as well as in the structures shownin the present application. Also, it is to be understood that, while theimproved bearing sleeve is shown in the openers of the presentapplication, such openers are not limited to the use of this bearingsleeve but the swaged coupling sleeves of the prior patents may be usedif found desirable.

The bearing or bushing sleeve I9 of the cutter shown in Figures 1 to 4,carries an encircling collar 22 which extends through the opening 9 andis of a length to extend the full width of the space between the wingsI0 and II. This collar may be made separate from the bushing or as anintegral part thereof as desired and its overall diameter issubstantially equal to the width of the elliptical opening 9 so that itmay smoothly rotate therein and also move lengthwise thereof.

In Figures 5 and 6 the collar, shown as a separate part although it maybe formed in one piece with the bushing, is designated 22a.

Extending through the bushing I9 is a driving wheel shaft 23 at theinner end of which is mounted the peripherally toothed or milled drivingwheel 24 which is located in a plane between the cutter I and the bodyI, for cooperative action with the edge of the cutter. Upon the outerend of the shaft 23 is a thumb and finger crank 25, the inner edge ofwhich is shaped to form the two diametrically opposite trigger engagingfingers 26.

As shown in Figure 4 the outer wing of the yoke 12 is outwardly offsetto form the guide 21. In

I this guide is disposed the slidable trigger plate 28 which is providedwith an elongated or elliptical opening 29, corresponding to the opening9, through which the bearing 19 and collar 22 extend, so that thetrigger has limited up and down movement with respect to those partswhich pass through the opening 29.

Upon the lower end of the trigger plate is the laterally extending camfinger 30. This finger has cooperative action with the trigger shiftingor elevating cam 3| which is secured to the outer side of the body I toextend obliquely with respect to the length thereof so that the triggercam finger 30 will ride upon the inclined upper surface thereof.

The cam finger 30 of thetrigger is arranged with respect to the fingers26, to be in the path of these fingers, when the trigger plate is in itslowered position so that when the crank is rotated clockwise a finger 26thereof will engage against the cam finger so that the yoke will berocked and the toggle coupling between the yoke and the fixed pin l4will be straightened out to raise the driving wheel 24 with respect tothe cutter I. At the same time the trigger will be shifted upwardly dueto the engagement of the finger 30 upon the inclined upper face of thecam 3|, until the finger 30 is inwardly of the engaged finger 2B andfreed therefrom, whereupon the crank may be continuously turned.

It will be readily apparent that any excessive resistance to the upwardmovement of the wheel 24 will be absorbed by the spring l5 due to thefact that the downward thrust upon the yoke is transmitted through thespring to the pin l4. Such resistance is sometimes encountered,particularly if a cam rim of unusual thickness is encountered.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the application of a crank arm to thestructure shown in Figures 1 to 4 where such structure is mounted upon afixed bracket arm 32 which is attached to a wall or other suitablesupporting structure.

The crank is indicated by the numeral 25a and is secured to the squaredouter end of the shaft 23a by a suitable head rather than by the processof bifurcating the outer end of the shaft to receive the turning means,like the shaft shown in Figure 3.

In this construction the crank handle 25a carries a pin 26a. forcooperation with the cam finger 30a of the trigger plate 28a. All otherfeatures of construction are the same as the structure shown in Figures1 to 4 therefore it is believed that a further description of Figures '7and 8 is unnecessary.

Figure 7 illustrates the yoke i2a in the position which it assumes whenthe driving wheel 24a is lowered for the insertion of a can rim betweenthe wheel and the edge of the cutter. When in this position the yoke isswung counterclockwise and the trigger plate 280, is at the limit of itsdownward movement. This is the position in which the parts will be leftafter completing a can cutting operation and removing the can from thecutter.

Itwill be seen that the crank carried finger 26a is in position in frontof the cam finger 39a and thus when the crank is turned clockwise thefinger 26a will first be brought around to engagement with the back edgeof the finger 30a thereafter causing clockwise rotation of the yokeand.

as previously stated in connection with the description of the operationof the device as shown in Figures 1 to 4, causing the straightening outof the toggle connection between the yoke and the fixed pin coupling theyoke with the plate body to raise the driving wheel to operativeposition. The cam finger 30a will ride upon the inclined cam 3Ia to beraised to a position where the finger 26a will pass under the finger 30athus permitting continued free rotation of the crank handle.

The clockwise turning of the yoke is limited by the engagement of thestop member 33, Figures 1 and 2 and 33a, Figure 7, which is carried bythe yoke, with the upper edge of the C-shaped spring link therebeneath.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate another escapement means for effectingdisengagement of the trigger from the crank member in association with arotatable yoke.

In this construction the plate body is designated lb. At its lower endthe plate has the reduced extension 34. upon the inner or cutting bladeside of which is formed the flange 35 forming the can support,corresponding with the flange I8 formed upon the lower end of the linkl3 of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 8 inelusive,

At its upper end the plate lb has the inwardly turned head flange 36with which is integrally formed the downwardly. extending knife 31.

Also adjacent the upper end of the plate lb is formed the ellipticalslot 38.

The plate lb is received between the inner and outer wings [0b and Nb ofthe yoke l2b, which wings are coupled together by the bearing sleeveI9c, corresponding to the sleeve is shown particularly in Figure 3.

Extending through the bearing sleeve l9c is the shaft 23b upon the outerend of which is secured the thumb and finger turning means or crankmeans 25b while upon the inner end 4f the shaft is secured the drivingwheel 24b.

The inner wing Il'lb carries upon its lower edge the arm |3b with whichis pivotally coupled by the pin lBb, the link l5b, the lower end orwhich link is pivotally coupled by means of the stud Mb, with the lowerend or extension 34 of the body plate.

Upon the outer side of the body plate this stud I4b carries the camroller 39 with which cooperates the sliding or shiftable trigger 28bwhich is in the form of an elongated plate and which has adjacent itsupper end the elliptical slot 29b for the extension through the triggerof the shaft and bearing sleeve.

This trigger 28b is slidably mounted in the offset guide 211) which isformed in the outer wing I lb of the yoke.

The lower end of the trigger plate 28b is cut obliquely to form the camedge 40 which is disposed in the plane of the cam roller 39 so the. uponclockwise turning of the yoke and the trigger this cam edge will engagethe cam roller.

Formed integrally with the plate 28b and extending outwardly therefromadjacent the upper end of the cam edge 40, is the trigger finger 301).This is designed for cooperative action with the fingers 26b of thecrank member.

- The operation of the device as shown in Figures 9 and 10 isessentially the same as that of the device shown in Figures 1 to 4. '7and 8. When the device is in released position where it is left afterremoving a can therefrom, the yoke [2b will be turned counter-clockwiseto the limit of its movement where the toggle connection between theinner wing "lb and the fixed pivot l4b is broken as shown in Figure 10.The lower end of the trigger plate 28b will be free of the roller 38band thus the trigger can slip downwardly to the limit of its movement onthe bearing sleeve and shaft, bringing the finger 30b into the path ofrotary movement of one of the fingers 26b.

Upon rotation of the crank 25b one or the fingers 282) will engage thefinger 30b and turn the yoke clockwise thus straightening out the toggleconnection and raising the driving wheel with respect to the cutter 31.At the same time the cam edge 40 will roll or slide against the camroller 39 causing the longitudinal shifting of the trigger plate 28buntil this plate reaches a position where the finger 30b is freed fromits engagement with the finger 26b whereupon continued free rotation ofthe crank may be had.

The sides or wings of the yoke are connected, adjacent the lower edgesthereof, by the transverse pin 4| which limits clockwise turning of theyoke through its engagement with the rear edge of the body plate lb.

It will be understood that in the construction shown in Figures 9 and 10there may be substituted for the thumb and finger crank 25b, a crank armsuch as is shown at 25a in Figures 7 and 8, and carrying upon its lowerend a suitable knob which may be readily grasped for rotation. Suchcrank means would be employed where the device is designed to be mountedupon a fixed bracket similar to the bracket 32.

In Figures 11 to 16 another constructiin is illustratcd usingessentially the same escapement mechanism as is used in the structuresshown in Figures 1 to 4 and 7 to 10. However, in place of the togglethrust connection between the yoke and the body plate for effecting thedesired movement of the can and the penetration of the can head by thecutter, a novel rotatable head construction is employed which is gearedto the yoke so that the turning of the yoke will turn the cuttercarrying head and force the cutter into the top of the can.

Figures 11 to 14 show the application of this embodiment to a portabletype opener. Here the body plate of the device is designated [0. Thisplate has the lower part of the forward edge cut away to form the recess42 and rearwardly of this recess the bottom edge has the inwardly turnedcan support 43. At the top of the body Ic there is formed adjacent theforward edge, the inwardly turned stop 44 which limits the rotationalmovement of the cutter carrying head. The head is generally designated45 and comprises the outer gear quadrant 46, the horizontal top portion41 and the inner depending portion 48 to which is secured, upon the sidenearest the segment 46, the knife 49, the cutting edge of which dependsbelow the lower edge of the portion 48 as shown in Figure 13. In thisconstruction the lower and rear corner of the cutting blade issufiiciently blunt as indicated at 49' to provide traction of thedriving wheel with the rim or bead of a can as the blade is rotated intoposition as hereinafter described.

The cutter head is pivotally secured to the inner side of the body plateadjacent the top thereof by the pivot pin 50 and when in its verticalposition, to which position it is rotated for the penetraton of can headby the blade, it is stopped against further turning movement by the stop44 while its backward rotation is limited by the engagement of the yokemember, as hereafter de- 8 scribed, against the forward edge of the bodyplate.

The numeral i2c designates, the yoke. between the side wings Inc and 00! which the body plate is disposed. This yoke has the side wingscoupled together by a bearing sleeve l9d which passes through and ismounted for rotation in a suitable opening, not shown, in the body platelc. The yoke is disposed below the rotatable head as will be readilyunderstood and the winr; ilic has the top edge formed to provide thetoothed quadrant 5|, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of thequadrant 46 as shown in Figure 11.

Through the bearing sleeve I9d is extended the driving wheel shaft 230,upon the inner end of which is mounted the toothed driving wheel 240while upon the outer end is secured the thumb and finger crank 250. Thiscrank, like the ones shown in Figures 3 and 9, has its inner edge formedto provide the trigger engaging fingers 260.

The outer wing I I0 of the yoke is offset to form the guide 210 for thesliding trigger 280. The lower end of this trigger carries the outwardlyprojecting finger 300 which is near the forward edge of the triggerplate while the rear edge portion of the trigger plate is extendeddownwardly and is formed, at the forward edge of the extended portion,to provide the cam 400.

The lower end of the body plate carries the outwardly directed camfiange 52 over which the cam 40c rides to shift the trigger upwardly sothat the finger 300 may be disengaged from a finger 26c of the crank.

When the opener is in released position, which is the position in whichthe yoke is turned counter-clockwise to the limit of its movement, as itis shown in Figure 15, it is installed on the can by placing the cornerof the cutter blade 49 over the rim of the can and the laterallyextending stop finger 53, which is carried by the body plate andprojects transversely across the back of the head, upon the rim of thecan. When so placed the thumb and finger crank 250 is rotated clockwiseuntil one of the two finger ends 260 thereof engages the outturned oroutwardly directed finger 300 of the trigger. Further clockwise rotationof the crank causes the trigger and the yoke to rotate until the yoke isapproximately in the position illustrated in Figures 11 to 14 at whichtime the trigger finger 30c escapes from the finger 260 with which itwas connected due to the fact that the cam 400 has been caused to rideover the cam flange 52 thereby shifting the trigger 28c upwardly.

Since the yoke has the gear quadrant Si in toothed connection with thequadrant 46 which forms a part of the rotatable head, the head will becaused to rotate or turn simultaneously with the turning of the yoke, tothe position in which it is shown in Figures 11 and 12. The cutter bladeis thus forced to pierce the end of the can and continued rotation ofthe crank will cause the can to be turned by the wheel 240 so that thehead of the can will be cut out in an obvious manner.

It will be noted that the swinging radius of the inner edge of thefinger 26c, designated by the broken line R, is such as to cause thefinger 30c and the trigger 280 on which it is mounted, to be raisedapproximately one eighth inch between the time the finger 30c firstescapes from the rear edge of the finger 26c, and the time the finger800 is entirely out of contact with the finger 28c during clockwiserotation of the operating handle 250. As soon as the finger 360 isentirely out of contact with the finger 26c, gravity will cause thetrigger 28c and its finger file to return to the position in which it isillustrated in Figure 12.

Upon counter-clockwise rotation of the operating handle 250 the finger260 is in positive engagement with the finger 300 at all times when theinner edge of the finger 260 is above the lower edge of the finger Me.The thickness of the finger 30c is such as to insure this positiveengagement. It will be noted that such action is effected by offsettingthe finger 300 from the vertical line through the axis of the shaftwhich supports the operating handle 260, instead of centering the finger300 on such a vertical line. Thus when the handle 250 is reverselyrotated counterq clockwise rotation will be given the yoke I 2c whichwill result in the movement of the cam portion 400 of the trigger fromthe supporting finger 52 whereby, upon again turning the handleclockwise the desired engagement of the finger 260 with the finger 300will be obtained.

In Figures 15 and 16 the device of Figures 11 to 14 inclusive is shownmounted upon a wall supported bracket which is designated :20 and alsothe driving wheel shaft is shown modified in construction to haveattached thereto an end of the crank handle 25d.

In this construction the top edge of the supporting bracket 320 takesthe place of the cam flange 52 which is engaged by the extension fingerupon the lower end of the trigger, which finger is here designated 40dwhile the trigger is designated 28d. Also the can guard or support, heredesignated 43c, serves as the upper rivet for securing the bracket320.120 the bodyplate Id.

In the forms of can openers shown in Figures 11 to 16 inclusive it willbe not'ed that complete clockwise rotation of the cutterrblade ispositive in relation to a relative turning ofthe handle or crank meansthus assuring positive penetration of the end of the can by the cutterblade when the crank is rotated, and without any effort or other actionon the part of theoperator except the turning of the crank. Likewise, itwill be noted that complete counter-clockwise turning or rotation of thecutter blade is positive in relation to a relative turning of the'crankhandle, thus assuring positive return of the cutter blade to fullrelease position when the crank handle is rotated, and without anyeffort or other action on the part of the operator except the turning ofthe crank handle. This can opener provides for positive mechanicalpiercing of the end of the can with a minimum of effort on the part ofthe operator and positive mechanical releasing of the can with a minimumeffort by the operator.

It will be understood that the trigger and cam mechanism illustrated inthe preceding figures may be used in the construction illustrated inFigures 11 to 16 inclusive if desired. Also,'the trigger and cammechanism illustrated in the last mentioned group of figures may be usedin the construction illustrated in the first group of fi ures. When thetrigger and cam mechanism illustrated in Figures 11 to 16 inclusive areused in the construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 7 to inclusive, theextended portion of the trigger that engages the cam would be extendedand the cam surface lowered correspondingly a sufficient distance inorder that the cam would not interfere with the trigger when the yoke ofthe device is lowered to its lowermost position.

Figures 17 to 20 inclusive illustrate another embodiment of the portablecan opener. This constitutes a fourth embodiment in which is employed asliding trigger escapement carried by the rotatable yoke and as will bereadily apparent substantially the same escapement mechanism isemployedin this fourth embodiment as is used in the forms illustrated in Figures11 to 16. This embodiment also employs a modification of the rotatableknife head.

In this fourth embodiment the body plate is generally designated le andhas at the rear of the top edge thereof the upwardly extending ear 64and in front of this ear there extends horizontally or laterally acrossthe inner side of the body plate the horizontally spaced fingers andLike the construction illustrated in Figures 11 to 16 the yoke He ispivoted to the body by the bushing or hearing sleeve 19c through whichextends the thumb and finger crank supporting shaft 23a.

The spaced inner and outer wings Ifle and He respectively of the yokeare coupled together by the bearing sleeve He and the outer wing of theyoke has the offset guide 2'Ie in which slides the trigger 28c which, aspreviously stated, corresponds to the trigger mechanism of Figures 11 to16 inclusive. The lower end of this trigger carries the camming tongue4lle which rides over the laterally extending trigger trip finger 52ccarried by the body plate le and in front of this camming finger thetrigger carries the laterally extending stop 30c which is engaged by oneof the two fingers 26c which forms a part of the thumb and finger crank25a.

The knife carrying head is in the form of a bellcrank and is generallydesignated 51. This is. pivotally attached to the inner side of theupwardly extending tongue 54 of the body by the pivot pin 58. The upperarm of the crank is designated 59 while the downwardly extending arm isdesignated 60 and, as shown in Figure 18, the lower end portion of thisdepending arm 60 is laterally offset away from the body plate Ie. I

At its free end the arm 59 of the head has secured thereto by the screws6|, the knife 62 which upon rotation of the head moves into and out ofposition between the fingers 55 and 56. These fingers serve, throughengagement with the top edge of a can as the opener is placed inposition, and cooperate with the lower finger 63, carried by the body,to maintain the device in the proper position in relation to the side ofthe can.

The wing lile of the yoke has at its inner or free end the ear 64 whichis offset away from the body le so as to be in vertical alinement withthe offset lower portion of the downward extension 60 of the head.

Interposed between the offset lower portion of the extension 60 and theear 64, and the adjacent body, is a coupling link 65, one end of whichis pivotally attached to the car 64 by the pin 66, while the other endis pivotally attached by the pin 61 to the offset lower end portion ofthe extension 60 of the head. The space between the body plate and thecar 64 and offset lower end of the extension 60, is just sufiicient tosnugly receive the coupling link 65 and therefore the link is securelymaintained in position upon the pins 66 and 61.

The can flange engaging wheel is designated 24c and is, of course.carried by the shaft 23a to be rotated thereby.

Figure 21 illustrates the same embodiment illustrated in Figures 17 to20 inclusive, constructed with an extension arm 68 by which theembodiment may be mounted upon, or by means of, a

suitable wall attached bracket. This illustration also discloses the useof a crank arm or operating handle bearing a knob, not shown, at itsouter end for effecting the rotation of the driving wheel shaft, suchcrank handle being designated 69. The crank handle carries upon itsinner side the trigger engaging finger which functions in the samemanner as the fingers 26.2 of the thumb and finger crank 25c.

Figure 18 illustrates the device of the fourth embodiment in releasedposition, that is, the position in which it is ready for application to,or to receive, a can. Figure 17 is, of course, a view of the oppositeside of the device from that shown in Figure 18 and Figure 17 shows therelation of the parts of the device when in operating position.

If the device is not already in the position illustrated in Figure 18the operator lifts the opener by the arm 59 of the bell crank. Thiscauses the opener to assume the position in which it is shown in Figure18. When in this position the device is placed on the can with the twofingers 55 and 56 resting on the rim or flange of the can. The opener isthen moved toward the can until the driving wheel Me is against the sideof the can. When in this position the end of the arm 59 which carriesthe cutter 62 is forced downward until the cutter is near the end of thecan and on the inside of can rim or flange. The thumb and finger handle25e is then rotated clockwise causing the trigger Me, which will beengaged by the handle finger 26c, the yoke and the bell crank arm to berotated until the cutter has penetrated the end of the can. When thisaction has been effected and the cutter has penetrated to thepredetermined depth, the trigger escapes from connection with the handlefinger 26c by the cam we riding over the trip finger 52e, thuspermitting the handle to be continuously rotated clockwise until the endof the can has been cut out.

The opener is so designed that when the trigger has escaped from thefinger 26c of the handle, the axis of the pin '65 is below a straightline connecting the axis of the rivet pin 61 and the axis of the shaft23c of the driving wheel. Therefore the thrust against the end of thecutter 82 would tend to cause the yoke to rotate further clockwise.However, further clockwise rotation beyond a predetermined point isprevented by the inner side of the yoke engaging the lower side of thefinger 55.

Figure 22 illustrates the fifth embodiment in which the knife carryinghead slides or moves vertically across the inner side of the body plateI f. The escapement mechanism in this figure and in the succeedingfigures has not been illustrated as such mechanism may be of exactly thesame design as that shown in connection with the fourth embodiment andthe embodiment illus- The yoke lZf is pivotally coupled to the body,

plate by a bearing sleeve, not shown, but of the same design and joiningthe two sides of the yoke in the same manner as the sleeve 'IBe whilethe driving wheel, which is designated 24!, is carried upon theoperating shaft, not shown, in the same manner as in the otherembodiments.

In this fifth embodiment there is disposed against the inner side of thebody plate I}, the elongated slide plate II at the upper end of which isthe knife supporting head 12 which is of the same design as the headshown in Figure 3. This slide H and the head. are snugly engaged betweenthe fingers a and 55a and the lower end portion of the slide has thelongitudinally extending elliptical slot 13 therein, through whichextends the bushing which couples together the inner and outer wings ofthe yoke II The slide ll moves between the inner wing I0! of the yokeand the adjacent face of the body plate and its up and down movement iscontrolled by the movement of the yoke I2f.

Extending downwardly from the lower edge of the wing lllf of the yoke isthe ear 14 with which is pivotally coupled by the pivot pin 15, thelower end of a substantially C-shaped link I6. The upper end portion ofthis link is turned to extend across the top of the body platesubstantially parallel therewith and is pivotally attached by the pivotpin 11 with the upper end portion of the knife head carrying slide Ii.As shown the upper end of the link 16 is above the ear 56a.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that in the use of thefifth embodiment when the yoke IN is rotated counter-clockwise the ear14 will swing around to move the link I6 upwardly and thus shift theslide ll so as to separate the knife, not shown, from the driving wheel24}. The device may then be applied to a can in the same manner as thepreviously described embodiments and when the yoke is then turnedclockwise through the medium of the operating handle, not shown, thelink 16 will be pulled down to force the knife, not shown, into the headof the can whereupon the trip mechanism, not shown, will release thehandle and permit the continued clockwise rotation thereof until thehead of the can is removed.

Figure 23 illustrates the sixth embodiment wherein is shown anothermeans of actuating the knife head carrying slide. In this embodiment thebody plate is designated lg while the lateral inwardly extending ears atthe top edge thereof are designated 55b and 5511.

In this embodiment the knife head carrying slide plate is designated Hawhile the knife head is designated 12a, the knife not being shown.

The yoke is designated l2g while the driving wheel which is carried bythe bearing sleeve, not shown, which couples the two sides of the yoketogether, is designated 249. At the lower end of the body plate is thelaterally extending finger 63b which cooperates with the fingers 55b and56b and extending outwardly in the opposite direction from the finger63b is the stop finger 529 for coaction with the trip mechanism, notshown, in a manner which will be readily understood from the descriptionof the preceding embodiments of the invention.

The slide plate Ha is of a length to extend down beyond the lower end ofthe body plate and is cut out to provide the two spaced furcations I8between which is engaged the lower can guide finger 63b. This fingerthus serves the secondary function of guiding the plate Ila in itslongitudinal movement, in association with the upper fingers 55b and56b.

In the plate Ha is the elongated slot 13a through which extends thebearing sleeve, not shown, which is carried by the yoke and on which theplate has vertical movement.

Beneath the slot 13a the plate Ila has formed to the depending ear 14a.which forms an integral part of the bottom edge of the inner wing lilyof the yoke.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing description of theembodiment illustrated in Figure 23 that upon counter-clockwise rotationof the yoke the cam follower pin 80 will be swung in an arcuate patharound the turning axis of the yoke and will cause the knife headcarrying plate I la to shift upwardly to move the knife, not shown, awayfrom the driving wheel 24g. The opener is then placed in position uponthe can and upon clockwise turning of the yoke the cam follower pin 80will force the slide Ila down to cause the knife, not shown, topenetrate the head of the can whereupon the trip mechanism, not shown,will function to release the operating handle, not shown, so that thelatter may then be continuously turned to cut out the head of the can.

Figure 25 illustrates a seventh embodiment of the opener, the view beingof the inner side thereof. In this embodiment another form of thrustmeans for the operation of the knife head carrying slide plate is shown.The body plate in this embodiment is designated lit and has at its topedge the lateral inwardly directed guide fingers 55c and 560 while atthe lower edge and adjacent the front edge is the lateral inwardlyextending finger 630. This finger together with the inwardly extendingfinger 8| which is at the back edge of the body plate and above thebottom edge thereof, cooperate for the longitudinal guidance of theknife head slide plate Mb. The knife head of this plate is designated12b, the knife not being shown.

The plate 'Ilb is of materially greater length than the body in as shownand is guided at its upper end between the fingers 55c and 56c while itslower end extends beyond the lower edge of the body plate between thefingrs 63c and 8| as previously stated.

The yoke is designated l2h while the driving wheel is designated 24h.

The knife head slide plate 'llb has the longitudinal elliptical slot 13btherein through which extends the yoke carried bearing sleeve, notshown. as in the other embodiments.

Extending downwardly from the lower edge of the inner wing lllh of theyoke is the ear 14b which at its lower end is turned to extend laterallyas indicated at 82 to provide the can guide which cooperates with thefingers c and 560 in properly locating the opener upon the side of acan.

The ear 14b is offset away from the body plate lh so that there may beextended between it and the slide plate llb the upper end of a thrustlink 83 which is pivotally attached to the ear as indicated at 84 whilethe lower end of this link is pivotally attached as at 85 to the lowerend of the knife head carrying slide 1 lb.

It will be readily apparent that when the yoke PM of this seventhembodiment is swung down in counter-clockwise direction the dependingear 141) will swing around and pull up the plate 1 lb,

by the link 83, thus shifting the knife, not shown,

away from and to inoperative position with respect to, the driving wheel24h. The cutter is then placed in position upon the can like thepreviously described embodiments and reversed rotation of the yoke willthrust the link 83 down- 14 wardly and force the slide plate I lb tomove dow so as to cause the knife, not shown, to penetrate the head ofthe can.

Figure 24 illustrates a modified construction of the 'C-shaped link suchas illustrated in Figure 22, whereby slight relative movement betweenthe ends of the link, may be effected for the relative adjustment of thecan driving wheel 241' and the lateral. fingers 55d and 56d. As will beseen the link which is here designated 16a is provided at a suitablepoint in its outer edge with the transversely directed slot 86 and intoa suitable tapped opening, not illustrated, through which the slot 86passes, there is fitted the tapered screw 81. It will be readilyapparent that by threading this screw inwardly the opposing edges of theslot 86 will be forced apart thereby slightly flexing the link in amanner to bring the pivoted ends 15a and Ila together slightly. It willbe readily apparent that with this arrangement a slight adjustment maybe made between the driving wheel 24: and the fingers 55d and 56d.

In Figures 26 and 27 there is illustrated a modifled construction of thethrust spring shown in the first embodiment of the can opener asillustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive. The same means is shown inconnection with this modified spring structure for varying the distancebetween the ends thereof as shown in connection with the link 16d. ofFigure 24.

The spring of Figures 26 and 27 is generally indicated by the referencenumeral 88 and is substantially C-shaped and has the inturned endportions 89 which are coupled between the thrust members of the canopener mechanism.

The two spaced side portions 90 of the spring carry the inwardlyextending lugs 9| which come into relatively close spaced opposedrelation. These lugs at their opposed ends are drilled and tapped asindicated at 92 to receive the tapered screw 93 which connects acrossthe gap between the lugs 9| as shown clearly in Figure 26. As in theconstruction illustrated in connection with the link 16a it will bereadily seen that if the screw 93 is threaded inwardly its tapered formwill cause a separation of the lugs 9| and consequently a separation ofthe opposed end portions 89 and thus. when the spring is used in anopener of the character shown in Figures 1 to 4, it will be readily seenthat the yoke and the parts carried thereby will be shifted toward theupper or head end of the device so that greater pressure of the drivingwheel 24 against the rim or flange of the can is eifected.

In Figure 28 there is illustrated in side elevation the right or outerside of an alternate'escapement mechanism to that illustrated in Figure9 of my Patent No. 2,411,449.

In this escapement construction where the body plate is designated 94,the arm 95 is secured to any suitable thrust mechanism such as isillustrated in the present application and the pending application abovereferred to. Such thrust mechanism may be the eccentric wheel structureillustrated in my prior patents and application or the toggle thrustmechanism shown in such prior application.

In the present escapement structure the outer side of the body plate 94carries the forwardly j and upwardly curving cam track 96 with whichcooperates the follower pin 91 which is carried by the slide plate 98which is housed in the upper part of the arm 95, such upper part of thearm having the inwardly extending longitudinal edge flanges 99 whichjoin with the spaced back porlustrated in dotted outline.

tions I to form the guide for the pin-carrying slide plate.

This slideplate 98 carries at its lower end and adjacent the rear edgethe latch finger IIII and the plate is normally urged outwardly towardthe free end of the arm by the spring I02 which is housed in the guidebetween the upper end of the slide plate and the top portion of the arm.

Adjacent to the other end of the arm there is secured, upon the innerside of the arm, the rivet I03 which pivotally supports in the samevertical plane with the latch plate or slide plate 88, an oscillatabletrigger I04 which projects as illustrated, beyond the free end of thearm.

The upper or inner end of the trigger I04 is extended at its forwardedge to provide the finger I05 which cooperates with the latch fingerIOI in the manner about to be described.

The numeral I06 designates the operating crank or handle which isconnected with the shaft I01 by which the driving wheel, not shown, isrotated. This handle carries upon its inner side the trigger engagin pinI08 for connection with trigger I04.

The trigger I04 is illustrated in the escapin position. It will be seenthat the arm 95 has been rotated clockwise simultaneously as the crankarm or operating handle I06 was so rotated, by engagement of the pin orlug I08, with the outer end of the trigger I04. It will be seen thatafter the arm 95 has been rotated clockwise to approximately theillustrated position, the cam track 95 will have forced the latch plate98 inwardly until the trigger I04 will esca'pe from such latch andfurther clockwise rotation of the crank I06 will cause the trigger I04to rotate clockwise on its pivot I03 until approximately in the positionil- At this time the trigger I04 escapes from the pin or lug I08 andgravity causes the trigger I04 to rotate counterclockwise on its pivotI03 until approximately in 'he position shown in solid lines. Furthercounfer-clockwise rotation of the trigger I04 on its pivot is preventedby its engagement with the portion I09 and the extended portion of thefront flange 99 which forms a part of the arm 95.

During counter-clockwise rotation of the crank arm I00, the pin I08 willengage the opposite side of the trigger I04 causing the arm 95 to rotatetherewith. As soon as the arm 95 has been rotated suflicientlycounter-clockwise to permit the latch 08 to be moved outwardly by thespring I02 until the trigger I04 will not be in escaping position, thetrigger cannot be rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise on itspivot. Consequently the trigger I04 acts as a fixed part of the arm 95at all times except when in escaping position.

At all times when the pin 5'! is not in engage ment with the cam 86 theinner end of the trigger I04 and the opposing face of the latch fingerIOI are maintained in cooperating connection by the spring I02.

Figure 29 illustrates a modification of a knife head construction suchas is illustrated in Figures 2 and 8 of the present application and inFigure 21 of Patent No. 2,314,506.

In this head construction the head is generally designated H0 and issupported upon the upper end of the body plate III. The upper end of thebody plate has the laterally turned portion III from which is struckupwardly the vertical plate II 2 thus providing at each side of theplate a guide finger I I3, one only of which is illustrated in thisfigure.

The upwardly extending plate portion II2 enters into the square invertedU member I I4. This member comprises the front and back legs H5 and H6respectively, the back leg having secured thereto by the screws II I,the upturned plate -I I2 while the front leg, which extends at its lowerend between the guide fingers II3, has secured thereto by the screws N0,the knife blade I I9 which projects downwardly between the members II3as illustrated. The blade is thus located between the legs of the memberII4 by which it is protected as shown.

It is to be understood that in any embodiment of the present applicationor prior applications or patents in which this inverted square U-shapedhead is used, the desired proximity of the cutter blade I I9 to thedriving wheel, not shown, may be adjusted at the time of manufacture orat any subsequent time, by the insertion of suitable shim or shimsbetween the cutter blade II9 and the depending portion of the member II4to which it is secured.

Figures 30 and 31 illustrate a modified thrust block and spring supportfor a -toggle link thrust mechanism such as is illustrated in my priorPatent 2,314,506, Figures 28 and 29.

In this modified arrangement the numeral I20 designates the body plateof the device while the numeral I2I generally designates the lower endportion of the toggle link which is operatively coupled with a rotatableyoke such, for example, as illustrated in the present application inFigures 1 and 2 or other figures where the yoke is shown. The lower linkof the toggle thrust mechanism is designated I22 and as shown, this hasan upper portion I22a which lies against the left hand or inner side ofthe body plate between the offset lower portion I2Ia of the upper linkand the body plate, and is pivotally coupled to the lower end of theupper link by the rivet I23. The lower half of the lower toggle link I22is inwardly oiTset from the left hand side of the body plate I20, asindicated at I22b and has formed therethrough the short verticallydisposed elliptical opening I24.

At each longitudinal I22b of the lower link I22 ears I25 plate.

The lower end of the lower toggle link I22 is connected for limited upand down movement. with the body plate I20, by the pivot pin I26 whichis secured to the body plate and extends through the elliptical openingI24, as shown in Figure 31.

Supported upon the pin I26 in the space between the offset lower portionI22b of the lower toggle link and the body plate I20, and between theears I 25, is the spring supporting block I21 upon the top edge of whichis mounted the spring I28 which is held between the block and theoverlying portion I 22a of the lower toggle link.

It will be readily apparent upon examination of the Figures 30 and 31that in this construction as in the construction illustrated in thepatent referred to, if unusual resistance is encountered. the togglelink will bear upon the rivet pin I25 after the spring I28 has beencompressed to its predetermined extent.

Figure 32 illustrates another form of the escapement mechanism. Thestructure here shown constitutes a modification of the rotatable yokewhich is illustrated in the majority of the previous figures, whereinthere is mounted upon the yoke a pivoted trigger which in rotatingthrough edge the lower portion has the laterall turned which aredirected toward the body 17 a short are functions in the same manner asthe sliding or reciprocating trigger of the previously illustrated anddescribed structures.

In this modified construction the body plate is designated I29. This hasextending transversely therethrough and supports the shaft I upon whichis supported for rocking movement the yoke I3I which corresponds inconstruction to the yoke I2 of the opener illustrated in Figures 1 to 4and other figures of this application and has, like the yokes of theother figures, two parallel plates. one only of which is shown. Theillustrated plate of the yoke I3I is designated I32. Between thesespaced plates the body I29 positions. The bushing with which the twoside plates of the yoke are connected and through which the shaft I30extends for free rotation, is shown in dotted outline and designatedI33.

The operating handle for the shaft and by which the rotation of the yokeI3I is accomplished, is designated I34 and is of the same form as thehandle shown in Figure 3. It will be understood, however, that thishandle may be replaced by a crank if desired.

At the lower edge of the side plate I32 of the yoke is a downwardlyextending ear I which is pivotally connected by the rivet I36, thetrigger I31. This trigger has a relatively wide free end in which isformed the elliptical slot formed on an arc struck from the center ofthe pivot I36, 0

such slot being designated I38. The slotted free end of the trigger I3!is disposed between the plate I32 and the handle or crank I34 and theshaft and bushing I30 and I33 respectively pass through this arcuateslot.

The lower edge of the trigger I31 carries the outwardly extending tripfinger I39 which is arranged to be engaged by the fingers of the crankI34 upon clockwise or counter-clockwise turning of the crank.

Secured to the outer side of the body plate I29 below the shaft and inposition to be engaged by the lower edge of the trigger at the inner endofinthe finger I39, is the obliquely directed cam Mounted upon the shaftI30 is a fiat washer I4I which fits closely between the outer end of thebushing I33 and the inner end of the handle I34. This washer keeps therotatable end of the trigger I31, in alinement at all times but permitsfree rotation of the trigger on its pivoting rivet I36.

It will be readily apparent that when .the yoke I3I has been rotatedcounter-clockwise to the limit of its movement where the implement isready to receive a can, upon clockwise turning of the handle I34 one ofthe fingers, not shown, thereof, corresponding to the fingers 26 of thestructure shown in Figure 3, will engage the finger I39 and cause theyoke to swing clockwise in the desired manner. When the yoke has swungin this direction to a predetermined extent the lower edge thereof atthe inner end of the finger I39 will ride up upon the top surface of thecam I40 to a position where the handle will be released from the fingerwhereupon continued clockwise turning of the handle may be had. Uponreverse rotation of the handle the finger of the handle will engage thefinger I39 upon its forward edge and the yoke will then be swung back ina counter-clockwise direction to the inoperative position of theimplement.

I claim:

1. A rotary drive wheel type can opener comprising a body having alongitudinal opening, a

cutter carried by the body, a rotary shaft extending through the bodyopening for movement lengthwise of the body, a member rotatablysupported on the shaft, a driving wheel carried by the shaft forrotation thereby and for coaction with the cutter, means connected withand actuated by said member upon rotation thereof for effectingtranslational movement of the wheel and cutter, means for turning theshaft and wheel independently of the rotatable member, a trigger elementslidably connected with and carried by the rotatable member forrectilinear movement, means for limiting said rectilinear movement,means for forming a driving connection between the trigger element andthe shaft turning means upon turning the turning means to rotate therotatable member, and means for releasing the trigger element from theshaft turning means upon rotation of said rotatable-member in onedirection to a predetermined extent.

2. A rotary drive wheel type can opener, comprising a body, a cuttermember carried by the body, a member carried by the body for rotation, acan rim engaging wheel rotatably carried by the rotatable member forcoaction with said cutter member, means supporting one of the membersfor translational movement relative to the other to change the workingdistance between the members, means operating upon rotation of the saidrotatable member for effecting said change in the working distancebetween the cutter and wheel members, turnable means connected with therotatable member for turning the wheel, a trigger slidably connectedwith and supported on the rotatable member for rectilinear movement andfor movement by said turnable means to efiect a desired change in thesaid working distance between the cutter and wheel members, means forlimiting the rectilinear movement of the trigger, and means forreleasing the trigger from the turnable means after a predeterminedrotation of the rotatable member in one direction to permit continuedindependent turning of the turnable means and of the wheel.

3. A rotary drive wheel type can opener as set forth in claim 1 in whichthe trigger releasing means comprises a pair of cooperating cammingelements one of which is carried by the body and the other one of whichis carried by the sliding trigger whereby the sliding movement of thetrigger out of engagement with the shaft turning means is effected whensaid camming members come together.

-4. A rotary drive wheel type can opener, comprising a body having alongitudinal opening, a cutter carried by the body, a rotary shaftextending through the body opening for movement lengthwise of the body,a member rotatably supported on the shaft, a driving wheel carried bythe shaft for rotation thereby and for coaction with the cutter, meanssupporting the member for rectilinear movement relative to the cutter,means connected with and actuated by said member upon rotation of themember for effecting said relative movement, means for turning the shaftand wheel independently of the rotatable member, a finger carried by theshaft turning means, a trigger member slidably connected with and Icarried by the rotatable member for limited recbody, and said stopfinger being adapted to contact the fixed element upon turning of therotatable member and the shaft turning means to a predetermined extentin one direction and have a camming action by which the stop finger isshifted out of engagement with the first finger. 5. A rotary can openerof the character set forth in claim 4 in which the said means forreleasing the trigger from the shaft turning means comprises an edge ofthe trigger extending obliquely to the length of the trigger and a fixedcamming member carried by the body in the path of movement of saidoblique edge when the member and the shaft turning means are turned as aunit.

6. A rotary can opener comprising a body having an opening, a cuttercarried thereby, a rotary shaft extending through the body opening, amember rotatably supported upon the shaft, a driving wheel secured tothe shaft for rotation thereby and for coaction with the cutter, themember for movement relative to the cutter, a .resiiient couplingbetween the member and the body forming a, thrust means whereby movementof the member and the wheel is effected upon the rotation of the memberin one direction, a trigger, means supporting the trigger on the memberfor limited rectilinear sliding movement transversely thereof, means forturning the shaft and wheel independently of the rotatable member, meansto establish a drive connection between the shaft turning means and themember in turning the shaft turning means in one direction to effectmovement of the wheel relative to the cutter, and a camming meanscarried by the trigger and the body functioning to disengage the triggerfrom shaft turning means upon rotation of the member in one direction toa predetermined extent.

7. A rotary can opener comprising, a body having an opening, a cuttercarrying head, a rotary shaft extending through the body opening, amember rotatably supported on the shaft, a driving wheel carried by theshaft for rotation thereby, said head being pivotally coupled with thebody, a driving coupling between the head and the rotatable member bywhich relative movement is effected between the cutter and the drivingwheel upon rotation of the rotatable member, means for turning the shaftand wheel independently of the rotatable member, a trigger membersiidably carried by the rotatable member, means for establishing adriving connection between the trigger and the shaft turning means uponturning of said turning means to rotate the rotatable member, and meansoperating to release the trigger from the shaft turning means uponrotation of the said rotatable member in one direction to apredetermined extent.

8. A rotary can opener as set forth in claim 7 in which the said drivingconnection between the pivoted head and the rotatable member comprisesconnected gear segments. 7

9. A rotary can opener as set forth in claim 7 in which the said drivingconnection between the pivoted head and the rotatable member comprises acoupling link.

10. In a rotary can opener of the character set forth, an escapementmechanism between two concentrically pivoted members, comprising a body,an arm supported at one end by the body for rotation, a crank supportedfor turning around the rotary pivot of and to move across and in closeproximity to the arm, a latch member supported by the arm for movementlongitudinally thereof, resilient means constantly urging movement ofthe member toward the free end of the arm, a trigger pivotally mountedon the arm for rotation on an axis perpendicular to the arm, a membercarried by the crank for connection with the trigger upon rotation ofthe crank clockwise and counter-clockwise, means for establishing alatching connection between the trigber and the latch member for holdingthe trigger against swinging upon the turning of the crank in onedirection to engage the said member with the trigger, whereby the crankand arm are coupled to turn together, and means operating upon movementof the crank and arm together beyond a predetermined position in thesaid one direction to effect the shifting of the latch member againstthe action of the resilient means and the breaking of said latchingconnection whereby the trigger may rotate and free the crank forcontinued turning in the said one direction independently of the arm.

11. In a rotary can opener of the character described, a body member, apair of thrust links having pivotally coupled ends and disposed at oneside of the body, one of said links being adapted for connection with aforce applying means carried by the body, and the links being arrangedto extend lengthwise of the body whereby a thrust applied to andlongitudinally of the said one link will be transmitted to andlengthwise of the other link, the said other link being offset through aportion of its length from the body at the end remote from the said onelink and forming an under-cut shoulder, the said offset end having alongitudinally extending elliptical slot therein, a pivot pin carried bythe body and engaged in said slot, a block supported on the pin betweenthe ofiset and the body and spaced from said shoulder but in opposedrelation with the shoulder, and a spring interposed between the blockand the shoulder and resisting movement of the said other link in onedirection.

12. A rotary can opener of the character set forth in claim 11, in whichthe said offset end of the other link has bordering ears at itslongitudinal edges extending toward the body across the adjacent ends ofthe block to maintain the block and spring in position beneath theshoulder.

13. A rotary can opener, comprising a body member, a cutter carried bythe body, a rotary can driving wheel supported upon the body formovement relative to the cutter, a crank for tuming the wheel, a thrustmeans connected between the body and said wheel for effecting relativemovement between the wheel and cutter, an arm operatively coupled withsaid thrust means for turning on the axis of said wheel to actuate saidthrust means, a trigger supported upon the arm for movement in a lineperpendicular to said axis, said trigger normally tending to move in onedirection in said line, means carried by the crank for connection withthe trigger for effecting turning movement of the arm and ,crank as aunit for a predetermined distance in a circular path around said axis,camming means supported upon the body, and means carried by the triggerfor engagement with said camming means to effect movement of the triggerin the opposite direction at the limit of said predetermined movement ofthe arm and crank to effect disengagement of the trigger from the crankcarried means.

14. A rotary type can opener, comprising a body, a cutter carried by thebody, a rotary can driving wheel supported upon the body member formovement relative to the cutter, a crank for turning the wheel, a thrustmeans connected between the body and said wheel for effecting relativemovement between the wheel and the cutter, an arm operatively coupledwith said thrust means for turning on the axis of said wheel to actuatesaid thrust means, a trigger supported .upon the arm for limitedrectilinear movement in a line perpendicular to said axis, resilientmeans normally urging movement of the trigger in said line away fromsaid axis, means carried by the crank for connection with the triggerfor effecting movement of the arm and crank as a unit for apredetermined distance through a circular path.

camming means supported upon the body, and

means carried by the trigger for engagement with said camming means toeffect movement of the trigger in the opposite direction at the limit ofsaid predetermined movement of the arm and crank, to disengage thetrigger from the crank on the axis of said wheel to actuate said thrustmeans, a trigger supported upon the arm for limited rectilinear movementin a line perpendicular to said axis, spring means normally urgingmovement of the trigger in said line away from said axis, a memberplvotally supported upon the arm and normally engaged by said triggerunder the action of said spring means to be held from turning, meanscarried by the crank for connection with said pivoted member to effectturning movement of the arm and crank as a unit for a predetermineddistance in a circular path around said axis, a camming plate carried bysaid body, and a cam follower element carried by the trigger forengagement with said camming plate to effect movement of the trigger inthe opposite direction at the limit of the said predetermined movementof the arm and crank, to effect disengagement of the trigger from thesaid pivoted member and release of the crank for free rotation.

16. In a rotary can opener, a body, a cutter carried thereby, a membercarried by the body for rotation, a can rim engaging wheel rotatablycarried by said member for co-action with said cutter, means operatingupon rotation of said member for relatively moving the cutter and wheel,turnable means connected with the rotatable member for turning thewheel, said member having an offset portion forming a guide, a triggerplate slidably mounted in said guide for rectilinear movement, means forlimiting the rectilinear movement of said trigger plate, a cam fingercarried by the trigger plate, means forming a part of said tumable meansfor engagement with said cam finger, and a camming plate carried by thebody member and adapted to be engaged by said cam finger upon rotationof the finger and the rotatable member to effect the disconnection ofthe cam finger from said turnable means.

17. In a rotary can opener, a body, a cutter carried thereby, a membercarried by the body for rotation, a can rim engaging wheel rotatablycarried by said member for co-action with said cutter, means operatingupon rotation of said member for relatively moving the cutter and wheel,a crank connected with the rotatable member for turning the whee1 andhaving rotation independently of the rotatable member, said rotatablemember being formed to provide a guide, a trigger plate supported insaid guide for rectilinear movement, means for limiting the rectilinearmovement of the trigger plate, said trigger plate having an end providedwith an extension formed to provide a, camming surface, a finger carriedby the trigger plate and extending at right angles to the line ofmovement of the plate, means carried by the crank and adapted to engagesaid trigger plate finger when the trigger plate is in one positionwhereby to effect the turning of the rotatable member and crank as aunit, and a camming member carried by the body member and extendinglaterally therefrom to be engaged by the camming surface of the triggerplate extension to effect movement of the trigger plate in one directionand release of the connection between the crank and trigger plate.

18. A rotary drive wheel type can opener, comprising a body plate havingan opening therethrough, a yoke having two spaced side portions betweenwhich the body plate is positioned and a cross connecting portionbetween the side portions, the yoke side portions having alignedopenings with which the plate opening is aligned, a

' shaft rotatably supported in and passing through said alignedopenings, the shaft connecting the two sides of the yoke through thebody plate opening, a can rim flange engaging wheel element secured onone end of the shaft, crank means on the other end of the shaft forturning the latter, a cutter element supported upon the body plate uponthe side thereof adjacent to said wheel for coaction with the wheel,means permitting movement of one of the coacting elements into and outof coacting relation with the other element, said yoke beingoscillatable to one position when the elements are in coacting relationand to a second position when the elements are out of such relation,cooperating members connected with the yoke and crank means which engageone another when the crank is rotated in one direction when the elementsare in said second position to turn the yoke on the shaft and move theelements to the said one position, and means functioning to separate theengaged members when the elements have assumed the said one position.

ROBERT E. McLEAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number, Name Date 1,272,493 Miller July 16, 19182,205,065 Newcomb June 18, 1940 2,314,506 McLean Mar. 23, 1943

